Farm 2 Fork Festival on tap in Saranac Lake

A bounty of locally produced food and drink is on the menu for the fifth annual Farm 2 Fork Festival, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 at Saranac Lake’s Riverside Park.

New this year, local organizers have partnered with Taste NY, a program of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, to highlight the quality, diversity and economic impact of food and beverages produced in the Adirondack region. A collaboration of the Adirondack Green Circle and the AuSable Valley Grange, the festival’s mission is to expand the support of local foods and local farms and promote food awareness in the northern Adirondacks.

“What could be more fun than a festival that celebrates fresh food and local farm abundance? Not much, at least for me,” said Gail Brill, event coordinator for Farm 2 Fork. “Partnering with Taste NY is going to exponentially raise the fun quotient at the festival. Local brewers, vintners and distillers are on board. There are so many things happening in New York State and across the country regarding brewing and distilling. It’s an exciting time to see these small companies take hold. This commitment to locally produced, close-to-home foods is the core of the festival and the Saranac Lake Village Farmers’ Market. We are excited to see how this pairing of local foods with local spirits, wines and beer will play out.”

The festival runs in conjunction with the popular Saranac Lake Village Farmers’ Market. The event begins with remarks by Brill and Franklin County Legislator Barb Rice, who also serves on the village of Saranac Lake’s Board of Trustees. The morning proceeds with a series of presentations, including Tammy Morgan on Lake Placid’s biodigester project and Drew Matott on using spent beer grains to make paper. Additional speakers will be added as the festival draws closer.

Following the presentations, visitors will be invited to take the stage and participate in a “recipe slam.” If you have a favorite recipe prepared from local ingredients, this is your opportunity to share it with the world. Information on how to sign up will be available at Riverside Park on the day of the festival.

The festival’s marquee attraction will once again be a colorful, diverse lunch featuring food prepared by eight home cooks. Tasting tickets cost $10 and include hand-cranked ice cream, pickle bar, and sips from the artisan beverage bar.

Also new this year is a food art competition. Participants are encouraged to bring carved vegetables or fruit, which will be judged by a group of local farmers. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. and have a chance to win a Farm 2 Fork cookbook and a $25 gift certificate redeemable at the Farmers’ Market.

Live music by the Back Porch Society will run from noon to 2 p.m.

The Saranac Lake Village Farmers’ Market runs throughout the day; visitors are encouraged to purchase goods from vendors and try some of the day’s recipes. Additionally, Saranac Lake’s lively downtown is just a short walk from Riverside Park.

This year’s festival is sponsored by Taste NY, Casella Waste Management, Paul Smith’s College, Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, Franny Preston of Prime Lending, and Mike Foote of State Farm Insurance. The festival also receives support from private donors through Adirondack Foundation’s crowdfunding website, Adirondack Gives. Special thanks to the North Country Healthy Heart Network for serving as fiscal sponsor to facilitate philanthropic gifts.

For more information about the Farm 2 Fork Festival, please contact Gail Brill at (518) 586-1063 or gailbrilldesign@gmail.com.

For festival updates, find us on Facebook by searching for “Farm 2 Fork Festival in Saranac Lake,” or visit our website at www.farm2forkfestival.com.